In Depth

Alternative Finances
Bitcoin Hits A Wall (And Drops)
August 15, 2014

Bitcoin Tracker | Week 36     Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today. By completing this form, you agree to receive...

Cool
The Better-Than-MCX Mobile Commerce Approach
August 15, 2014

To a degree that would likely shock an outsider, the payments industry loves a thrill. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter,...

Cool
Walmart Same-Store Q2 Sales Flat As Online Sales Soar
August 15, 2014

Walmart’s second-quarter U.S. same-store sales were flat during the quarter ended Aug. 1, though it did represent an improvement over growth reductions a year earlier. But the megaretailer is seeing the writing on the wall, as it is building up its distribution networks to accommodate...

B2B Payments
Venezuela’s State Oil Company Officially Switches Operations To China Citic Bank
August 14, 2014

As of this week, PDVSA, Venezuela’s state-run oil and natural gas company,  has officially moved its accounts from Portugul’s Banco Espirito Santo to China’s Citic Bank, according documents supplied to Reuters, last Friday (August 8).  Going forward, all of PDVSA’s payments on fuel products and...

Alternative Finances
IT Procurement’s Pursuit Of The ‘Long-Term Quick Fix’
August 14, 2014

As procurement teams work more closely with colleagues in IT, using a multi-part analytics architecture can help break purchasing logjams. But effective data analytics also is required. PYMNTS.com takes a look at a recent report that provides some suggestions on how to accomplish the task.

Acquiring
Comdata Acquisition Gives Fleetcor Added Fuel To Grow
August 14, 2014

Perhaps not one of the best kept secrets, but Fleetcor this week made good on the earlier rumors, acquiring fellow B2B fleet card provider Comdata for $3.45 billion. The deal provides Fleetcor four new business segments, including B2B health care and virtual payment card services....

Controversial
Green Dot And Serve Competition Heats Up, With Walmart Right In The Middle
August 14, 2014

Thus far, it appears, American Express’ Serve hasn’t put much of a dent in Green Dot’s performance, but the prepaid market appears ripe for a good ole fashioned feud between the two companies. Although pricing has yet to play out, Amex’s low-cost proposition and free...

Cool
Asian eTailing Giant Rakuten Sets Its Sights On The U.S.
August 14, 2014

Asia’s largest eCommerce players like what they see in the U.S. First, China’s Alibaba announced plans for a U.S. IPO and has since launched the 11 Main online marketplace here. Now Rakuten, Japan’s largest online retailer, appears to have its own U.S. plans. The addition...

Alternative Finances
Can Asset-Based Finance Help SMEs Stay Afloat?
August 13, 2014

Although it is not impossible for SMEs to secure loans, doing so can be a struggle, particularly for start-ups with limited credit history. Across the globe, other financing options–like asset-based financing–are continuing to grow in popularity. Is asset-backed financing still a strong option for business...